‘You could have fooled me,’ Gates said.

‘They didn’t share their intentions with you? I suppose that makes sense,’ Jenny replied.

‘And why does it make sense?’

‘Oh, you they want to – well, you’ll find out soon enough.’

‘I don’t like the sound of that. Can’t you give me a sneak preview?’

‘I don’t want to spoil it for you.’

The octopoid craft landed and the rest of the aliens gathered around it. A gangplank dropped from the opening and the octopoids formed two lines leading from Gates and Jenny to the entrance.

Gates dug his heels in. ’I’m not moving.’

‘Well, I’m going.’ Jenny held out her hand. ‘Join me?’

Damn it, Gates, he thought to himself. What did you just tell yourself about firecrackers?

Her hand was soft but her grip firm. They entered the spaceship.

‘Ah Jenny, when the tentacle touched me, I heard – well, a lot of nonsense about Fediyanyaha and some voles and murseas. What did you hear?’

‘I didn’t hear, I felt.’

‘What did you …’

‘A deep and gnawing hunger.’

The door closed.